Toyota Offering $150 Upgrade To Make Hybrids A Little Louder

Hybrids cars are great for the environment, but their quiet nature can make them dangerous. Because of this Toyota has unveiled a new speaker system that aims to make the cars louder in order to alert pedestrians.

Starting at the beginning of next week, Toyota will be offering an optional speaker system to make previously quiet hybrids like the Prius a little bit louder. The idea is to make the vehicles safer by alerting pedestrians.

The device will make the "synthesized sound of an electric motor" that is "aimed to alert but not annoy" any nearby pedestrians. To start, the device will only be available for the third-generation Prius, but going forward similar devices will also be available for future Toyota-built hybrids.

The speakers will be available starting August 30 for 12,000 yen, or around US$150.